Johnny Sexton ruled out of Ireland’s Six Nations game against Italy
Ireland’s Johnny Sexton will miss the Six Nations leaders’ trip to Italy this weekend, the Irish Rugby Football Union said on Wednesday, with lock James Ryan named as captain for the game.
The loss of Sexton, who suffered a leg injury in the 32-19 win over France two weeks ago, is likely to open the door for fellow Leinster fly-half Ross Byrne to make his third start for Ireland and first in the Six Nations.
While the more experienced Munster No 10 Joey Carbery was recalled by coach Andy Farrell as cover this week, Byrne has impressed off the bench in Ireland’s last three games.
Ryan’s choice as captain may also mean that Peter O’Mahony, who has led his country on 10 occasions, is set to be rested on Saturday with Jack Conan and Gavin Coombes vying for a first start of the campaign.
England’s Tom Curry, recalled last week, has withdrawn from the squad for Saturday’s match against Wales due to a hamstring injury and will be out for at least four weeks, meaning he will not feature again in the tournament. He sustained the injury in training and has been replaced by his brother Ben, who played in the opening defeat by Scotland but was left out for the Italy game.
The England coach, Steve Borthwick, announced the change when naming a trimmed 26-man squad for the game in Cardiff, which remains in doubt due to the threat of a strike by the Wales players.
Harlequins winger Cadan Murley remains in with a chance of a first cap, having been retained, with fellow wing Henry Arundell also included.
The former captain Courtney Lawes, who last played for England in Australia in July and has only a handful of club appearances this season after head and leg injuries, is also retained.
Borthwick will name his team for the match on Thursday. England are third in the table with six points while Wales are bottom after heavy defeats by Scotland and Ireland.